Why Do Young People Join?Gangs transcend age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status. While there are a number of risk factors that contribute to gang involvement ranging from adolescent rebelliousness to community disorganization, there are also common reasons most young people say they join:

Lack of parental involvement.

Seeking a sense of family structure, belonging, and discipline provided by the gang.

Respect and recognition.

Companionship. Friends are involved.

Lack of positive role models.

Family history of gang involvement.

Peer pressure/coercion.

Protection or revenge.

Pride for neighborhood.

Opportunity to make money.

Access to drugs, alcohol, weapons, sex.

Understanding Gang Involvement

While youth who become gang involved are of all ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds, there are some common characteristics. Initiated gang members are most likely between the ages of 12 and 25, though they can be much younger or well into adulthood.

The majority are male, from single parent homes, or homes where there is little supervision or high family conflict. They are low academic performers, truants, and cause disciplinary issues at home and school. They have low self-esteem and are usually indifferent, angry, and apathetic because they feel hopeless.

Educate Your Children, Your Family and Your FriendsDo Not Hesitate To Ask For Help - You Are Not Alone

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do if I think my child has joined or has been threatened to join a gang?

Contact your local law enforcement, an administrator at the child's school and ask them to meet with you and your child.What is the danger of wearing gang clothing, colors, or tattoos?

Dressing or acting like a gangster is extremely dangerous. If your child is mistaken as a rival gang member they could be assaulted or killed.

.Gangs are growing and going after your children

The allure of gangs has traditionally been thought to be a response to issues associated with poverty and disparities in social opportunities. Although gangs have always been in existence, gangs today are more violent, more organized, and more widespread. Initially, gangs formed as organizations for protection, political and social reform; however, they haveshifted their focusfrom reform tocriminal activity for profit.

The average age of gang members is from 14 to 21 years of age. Gang members, however, can be as young as 8 years old or as old as into their mid 30's. Recruitment into the gang usually starts in the middle school where the age group is between 10 and 13. Some recruitment has also been seen in elementary school and into the early years of high school. Most gangs target youth that are easily talked into doing work for the gang. Source: San Antonio Police Department

Gangs sought to increase their size by recruiting new members, who were typically from single-parent, low-income households, and who had a limited education and often target middle and high school students for recruitment. Gang migration from urban areas has led to the recruitment of new, younger gang members in many suburban and rural communities. Gang activity at schools is rising, in part, because gangs are using middle schools and high schools as locations for recruitment and drug distribution. The percentages of both total students and urban students reporting gangs present at school increased steadily from 2001 to 2005 (20% and 24%, respectively)

Gangs and the Community

Although their presence may go unnoticed, criminal street gangs exist in most communities, from rural areas to urban cities. They can be territorial or profit motivated, committing both violent and non-violent crimes that can negatively affect a community's overall quality of life.

As with all crime related issues in a community, residents should be aware of and report crime and suspicious activity to law enforcement officials. Community involvement is as important as policing in the effort to prevent, control and stop crime.

Things a Community Can Do to Address Gang Activity

Educate yourself on gangs. Know the warning signs and indicators.

Abate graffiti on your property as soon as possible. Report graffiti that is on public property to the city or the county.

Be active in your community and attend meetings to get updates on crime in and around your neighborhood.

Get to know your neighbors. Organize citizens on patrol or neighborhood watch groups, phone or email trees to alert neighbors about recent incidents. Utilize your community newsletter or website to post reports on activity.